September 22nd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – A top United States diplomat has said that ongoing activities in South Sudan contradicts the revitalized peace agreement signed in September last year.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny signed a revitalized version of the 2015 peace agreement to end the ongoing civil war.
The agreement called for the establishment of a unity government presided by the incumbent Kiir and deputized by Machar.
Speaking before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, US ambassador to UN, Kelly Craft, said she believes that there is time for South Sudanese to move closer to peace despite the contradictions of the provisions of the agreement on the ground.
“Despite ongoing activity that contradicts the letter and the spirit of the Revitalized Agreement, the United States believes there is still time for the parties to move closer to peace before November’s political deadline,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the peace process in South Sudan has focused too much on dialogue between political elites and too little on the suffering of the people of South Sudan,” added Craft.
The US diplomat further urged the South Sudan leaders from the political divides to agree to the terms for security arrangements, and to resolve the critical issue of the number and boundaries of states in South Sudan.
“We also urge them to formally establish the Hybrid Court in partnership with the African Union (AU), whose role in the peace process – along with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – we support,” Craft stressed.
